Umbrella



June 22, 1948.

H. SIMONIAN UMBRELLA Filed Aug. 16, 1945 INVENTOR .HA/G 5/MON/AN BY ATTCYJRNEY Patented June 22, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UMBRELLA Haig Simonian, North Hollywood, Calif.

Application August 16, 1946, Serial No. 691,050

r i l 1 This invention relates to umbrellas, "parasols, sun-shades and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an umbrella. characterized by the elimination of the projections or rib tips at the periphery of the opened umbrella by which, in umbi'ellas heretofore made, the fabric is secured to the ribs of the frame. An allied object is to devise an umbrella as described in which the end portions ofthe fabric is not secured to the ribs, i. e., at the rib tips; instead, the securement is made at the peripheral portions of the fabric between the ribs. A further allied object is to provide an umbrella as described in which the said fabric securement is continuous around the periphery of the opened umbrella.

A further object of the invention is to provide a continuous peripheral fabric securement as described which will improve the appearance of the novel umbrella both in its opened and closed conditions; In this aspect, the aforementioned rib projections or rib tips of prior devices detract from the appearance of the umbrella when closed as well as when open. Moreover, such projections of the open umbrella are hazardous in that they present unprotected points; and in the closed umbrella the projecting ends of the ribs are frequently caught on various items, such as clothing in a closet, leading to damage either to the umbrella or to the clothing.

A still further object is to provide a continuous peripheral securement as described which will permit the umbrella to be easily closed without interfering with the folding of the fabric as the ribs are turned inwardly toward the shaft. Another object of the invention is toprovide an umbrella having a, continuous peripheral fabric securement which will reinforce the fabric at its peripheral portion and which will strengthen the frame, more particularly, its ribs, when open. For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects as may appear or be pointed out I have shown several embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top view of the improved umbrella in open condition;

Figure 2 is a front view of the umbrella in open condition;

Figure 3 is a front view of the improved umbnella in closed condition;

Figure 4 is a detail, on enlarged scale, of the peripheral securement of the fabric, as seen from the outside of the open umbrella;

Figure 5 is a section close to the rib, taken on the line 5-'-5 of Figure 4; i

6 clams. (01. -20) Figure 6 is a similar section but taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, close to the mid point between ribs;

Figure 7 is a detail similar to Figure 4 but showing a modified form of peripheral securement; Figure 8 is a top view of the hinge joint between peripheral rods; and

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 Figure 7.

The novel umbrella has the conventional frame comprising a shaft 9 at the exposed end of which is secured a handle 8 and at the other end of which, covered by umbrella fabric I0, is hinged the plurality of ribs 1. on shaft 9 is slider 6 connected to ribs 1 by stretchers 5 the ends of which are hinged to slider 6 and to intermediate points of the ribs respectively.

As best shown in the preferred structure of Figure 4, fabric In of the improved umbrella is not secured to ribs 1. Umbrella fabric I0 is secured, at its peripheral edge, to a. plurality of short rods 2!] of equal lengths which circumscribe and define the perimeter of the open umbrella, as seen in Figure 1. It will be observed from the latter figure that two rods 20 are disposed in each arcuate portion of the perimeter between ribs, so that the number of rods 20 is twice the number of ribs 1. For convenience in reference, four consecutive rods have been identified in Figure 1 as A, B, C and D. Rods B and C are disposed in an arcuate perimetric portion between adjacent ribs, while rods A and B are disposed on either side of one of the ribs, rods C and D being disposed on either side of the other rib. The adjacent ends of each pair of rods, e. g., B and C, between adjacent ribs are articulated together, at Y, Figure 1, while the adjacent ends of each pair of rods, e. g., A and B, on either side of a, rib are articulated together and to the common rib, at X.

One form of articulation of the rods 20 at a rib I (articulation X) is shown in enlarged detail in Figures 4 and 5. Articulation of the ends of two adjacent rods 2!) (rod A and rod B) to one another and to the common rib I is made through the medium of a T-shaped link element 39, the stem 32 of which is secured at the end of rib I to dispose its crosspiece 3| beyond the end of the rib and normal thereto. Stem 32 is received within the channel 4 of the rib, the opposite walls of the channel being made somewhat wider at the end portion of the rib and the excess width folded or crimped inwardly at 3 to frictionally secure link element 30 at the end of the rib. The ends of rods 20, which are preferably cylindrical, have recessed portions 2|, Figure 4, presenting flat sur- 3 faces 22, see Figure 5; the ends of crosspiece 3| of the T-shaped link element 30 are received in the said end recesses of the adjacent rods (A and B, Figure 4) in abutting relation to the fiat surface 22, Figure 5. The rod ends are hinged to the respective ends of crosspie'ce 3| by pins 24. As clearly shown in Figure 4, the ends of crosspiece 3| are spaced from the recessed shoulders 23 of p of the tube.

the rod to provide clearance for turning of the, 7

rods about pivot pins 24. The ends of the rods may be rounded, as indicated at 25, Figure 4.

Figure 4 together with Figure 6 also illustrate the form of articulation that would be used at the ends of adjacent rods at the midpoint between ribs. This articulation (Y) is made through the medium of a straightlink 4| which is similar in cross-section and length to the crosspiece 3i of the T-shaped link element 3!! at articulation X; the ends of. straight link i! is similarly received in recessed portions 2L o f ,the rods and :are similarly connected to the rods by pivot pins 2+3. As a factor in reducing manufacturing costs, the T-shap-ed linkelements 30 .may be, used at articulation Y as well as at articulation X, so that only one type of link element need be provided. Where the same T- shaped element 35 is employedalso at articulation ,Y, its stem 32 would not be used; because of its short length and inner position the presenceof the unused stem would hardly-be noticed. The peripheral rim of coverii)- is secured to the two rods, such as B and C, between adjacent ribs. For this purpose ,cover I0, is provided along its edge with a plurality of narrow strips 5! each somewhat shorter in length than the rods 2!] and separated by open spaces l2 disposed at the rib articulations X and at. the midpoint articulations Y. Strips ll -are-sufficiently wide so that each can be wrapped tightly about a rod 26 and sewed at the seam Or the strips ll may be sewed to form looped portions along the periphery of the covering and the rods then inserted therein,

In the open position of the umbrella, as show in- Figure l and Figure 2, the rods 20, T-shaped link elements 3%, andlinks 4i forma continuous rim around the umbrella, andlie in a horizontal plane normal to umbrella shaft '9,,as,viewed in Figure 2. This continuous rim not only affords securement to the umbrella covering ill and at the same time eliminating rib tipsas heretofore usedfor this purpose, but also reinforces the peripheral edge of the covering. When the urnbrella is closed as in FigureS, rods, 20 turn in.- wardly at their pivot pin articulation to rib elements 3E and at their pivot pin articulation to midpoint links 42, as ribs 7 approach one another and are brought close to shaft 9. In the closed position, rods iii, are moreorless parallel to shaft 59 in close adjacencywith one an other.

An alternate form ofarticulating the rods at the ribs l (articulation X) and at midpoints between the ribs (articulation Y) and an alternate form of securing covering ill tothe rods are shown Figures '74 In this case 28' are hollow tubes and have central recesses 26 at their ends extending diarnetricallythrough the tubes, in which are received the ends of crosspiece 3,1 of the T--shaped link elements (at rib articulation X) and the ends of straight link 4i, the tube and links being connected by pivot pins 26. As in-Figures i-S, stem-3f. crT-shaped links 36 is received in channel li-of rib l, the nd of ,.which.is,c;r mred =ioat13 to friction'al y secure stem 32. The peripheral edge of covering Ill is formed as strips M, which are narrower than strips H of Figures 445, but which are similarly separated by spaces H2 at the ribs (X) and midpoints Y between ribs. Strips I4 have a reinforced or thickened edge l5, and the tubes 20 have a narrow slit 2! extending the length Slit 21 is sufficiently wide to permit passage of covering material l0 itself and is too narrow to permit passage of the thickened edge I5. Umbrella covering I0 is secured Within the hollow of the tubes 20 by entering the covering material at one end of the tube slit 2! with the thickened edge 15 of the covering passing within the hollow of the tube.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and-modifications maybe made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, thercfore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicingsame, except in so far as such" limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. ,An umbrella comprising apredetermined number of channel-shaped ribs, a covering fabric. a plurality of rods twice thesaid number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two rods disposed between adjacent ribs, T-shaped link elements each having a stern disposedwithin the channel at the end of each rib, said rib end being crimped to secure the said element, straight link elements at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the ends of said rods being recessed to present a fiat surface and a recessed shoulder, thesaid fiat surfaces of the ends of the rods on either side or a rib abutting the end portions of the crosspiece of the said 'T-shaped link element and the said fiat surfaces of the-ends of the two rods between adjacent ribs abutting the end portions of the saidstraight link-element at the midpoint between adjacent ribs, pins for pivotally connecting the said flat surfaces of the rods to the said link elements with the said recessed shoulders of the rods sufiicicntly spaced from the link elements to permit turning of the rods, the peripheral edge of said covering having strips separated by a space at the said ribs and at saidmidpoints between adjacent ribs, each strip being wrapped about one of said rods and secured by stitching to the covering.

2. An umbrella comprising a predetermined number of ribs, a covering fabric, a plurality of rods twice the said number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two rods disposed between adjacent ribs, T-shaped link elements each having a stem secured at the end of each rib, straight link elements at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the .endsof said, rods being recessed to presenta flat surface and a recessed shoulder, the said flat surfaces of the ends of the rods on either, side of ,a ribabutting the end portions of the crosspiece of the said T-shaped link element and thesaid fiat surfaces of the ends of the two rods between adjacent ribs abuttingthe end portions of the said straight link element at the midpointbetween. adjacent ribs; pins for pivotallyv connecting the said flat surfaces of the rods to thesaid link elements with the said recessed shoulders of the rods sufliciently spaced from the link elementsto permit turning of the rods, the peripheral edgeof said. covering being wrapped about the said rods and secured thereto by stitching.

3. An umbrella comprising a predetermined number of channel-shaped ribs, a covering fabric, a plurality of tubes twice the said number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two tubes disposed between adjacent ribs, T-shaped link elements each having a stem disposed within the channel at the end of each rib, said rib end being crimped to secure the said element, straight link elements at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the ends of said tubes being centrally recessed to present a recessed shoulder, the said central recess of the ends of the tubes on either side of a rib receiving the end portions of the crosspiece of the said T-shaped link element and the said central recess of the ends of the two tubes between adjacent ribs abutting the end portions of the said straight link element at the midpoint between adjacent ribs, pins for pivotally connecting the said ends of the tubes to the said link elements with the said recessed shoulders of the tubes sufiiciently spaced from the link elements to permit turning of the tubes, the peripheral edge of said covering having thickened strips separated by a space at the said ribs and at said midpoints between adjacent ribs, the said tubes being longitudinally slitted for passage of the said fabric with its said thickened strips disposed within the tubes.

, 4. An umbrella comprising a predetermined number of ribs, a covering fabric, a plurality of tubes twice the said number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two tubes disposed between adjacent ribs, T-shaped link elements each having a stem secured at the end of each rib, straight link elements at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the

.ends of said tubes being centrally recessed, the

said central recesses of the tubes on either side of a rib receiving the end portions of the crosspiece of the said T-shaped link element and the said central recesses of the two tubes between adjacent ribs receiving the end portions of the said straight link element at the midpoint between adjacent ribs, pins for pivotally connecting the said tubes to the said link elements, the said fabric covering having a thickened peripheral edge, and the said tubes being longitudinally slitted for the said fabric, the thickened peripheral edge of which is received within the tubes.

5. An umbrella comprising a predetermined number of ribs, a covering fabric, a plurality of rods twice the said number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two rods disposed between adjacent ribs, link elements at each rib and at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the ends of said rods being recessed to present a fiat surface and a recessed shoulder, the said flat surfaces abutting the end portions of the said link elements, pins for pivotally connecting the said flat surfaces of the rods to the said link elements with the said recessed shoulders of the rods sufficiently spaced from the link elements to permit turning of the rods, the peripheral edge of said covering having looped portions for receiving the said rods.

6. An umbrella comprising a predetermined number of ribs, a covering fabric, a plurality of tubes twice the said number of ribs arranged about the perimeter of the umbrella with two tubes disposed between adjacent ribs, link elements at each rib and at the midpoint between each pair of adjacent ribs, the ends of said tubes being centrally recessed to present a recessed shoulder, the said central recesses receiving the end portions of the said link elements, pins for pivotally connecting the said tubes to the said link elements with the said recessed shoulders of the tubes sufliciently spaced from the link elements to permit turning of the tubes, the peripheral edge of said fabric covering being thickened and the said tubes being longitudinally slitted for passage of the fabric with its thickened peripheral edge received within the tubes.

HAIG SIMONIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record. in the 

